Morituri starring Marlon Brando Yul Brynner DVD Review Morituri starring Marlon Brando Yul Brynner DVD Review

(aka 'The Saboteur, Code Name Morituri')

Directed by Bernhard Wicki
USA 1965

Fabulous suspense atmosphere with Marlon Brando playing a 'bon vivont' conscientious objector, named Robert Crain, who is blackmailed into a mission to divert a cargo ship, with 7,000 tons of valuable wartime rubber out of German hands and toward the Allies. He poses as an SS officer taking passage on the discreetly camouflaged German ship which is helmed by Capt. Rolf Mueller (Yul Brenner). The dramatic irony in this film by German actor-director Bernhard Wicki is that Crain (Brando), who exudes pride at professing pacifism, goes to extremes to personally sacrifice for the moral betterment. Perhaps unduly affected by a speech by prisoner Esther Levy (Janet Margolin) he obviously succumbs to his own masked principles. This is a beautiful atmospheric war drama hinting at morality and driven by amazing performances. One of the best of its kind that I have ever seen.

Gary W. Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: August 25th, 1965

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DVD Review: 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

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Also available in The Heroes of War Collection - Naval Battles which also includes The Enemy Below, The Frogmen, and Sink the Bismarck!

Distribution

20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC

Runtime

2:03:04

Video

1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.34 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio

English (Dolby Digital 2.0) English (Mono) DUB: Spanish (Mono)

Subtitles

English, Spanish, None

Features

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:

• Trailers
• Fox Flix trailers

DVD Release Date: May 25th, 2004
Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Comments:

A very strong image from Fox from this 1965 anti-war classic. Contrast and detail are at a high standard with the image tight to the frames edges and in the original aspect ratio of 1.85. I don't recall seeing any damage, prevalent digital noise or artifacts - certainly know that impinged upon my viewing. My only complaint is that the optional subtitles are yellow. No extras save some trailers.

I was left very impressed with this film and Brando's performance. Fox has given us another extremely reasonably priced DVD of an under-rated film. We strongly recommend!

Gary W. Tooze

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